If you look at a Google map of Brown’s Island, there is a heliport listed towards the Tredegar side of the island. There really isn’t anything in the spot except grass and a small concrete pad where they usually set up the dog-jump contest for River Rock. I wonder if the area has been designated so that, say, if there was a need to airlift someone during a concert or event, it could be done. In other words, it’s not a heliport that is used regularly, but if it needs to be utilized, the exact spot has been pre-approved to bear the weight of a helicopter and provide the necessary clearance around the area for a take-off and landing.
Perhaps the same sort of thing is being implemented at Chimbo? It’s so close to MCV that it doesn’t make sense to use a helicopter when an ambulance would be just as fast.
According to the City’s website, one can get a permit for a rooftop heliport for a mere $75 annually (and following some safety restrictions). Perhaps a permit has been filed? http://www.richmondgov.com/Fire/prevRooftopHeliports.aspx
I saw this while out jogging a few days back. The oddest thing about these signs (aside from the theme) is that I jog that route multiple times a day and I never saw them until AFTER the supposed 2/28 meeting at Chimbo. I’m assuming its a hoax/social experiment.
The only thing I could possibly imagine is that this would be to create a helipad/ aircraft landing zone at the Bon Secour hospital in church hill (Richmond Community). As Bon Secour continues to compete with VCUMC as a tertiary health system for coronary care and stroke center care, they would rather keep their patients for interventional coronary care and strokes within the system and not send them over the bridge to VCU. However, to do this and remain within critical time windows for treatment during terrible traffic patterns, aircraft would need to be used to accomplish this. And yes… this does happen. Take a look at DC MedStar for an example. Health systems use aircraft all the time to jump 10 miles to bypass traffic delays to keep money making patients within their systems. Tertiary care can be found at Memorial Regional, St. Marys, and Chip. That would be the destination. Minutes by air, 30 to 40 minutes by ground or more in unfortunate circumstances.
Other than that scenario… I couldnt imagine anyone wanting to put a helipad in church hill due to significant safety reasons including refueling logistics. The governor himself lands at the I-lot, located within eye shot of Church Hill. That is also the back up helipad for city aircraft operations including VCU rooftop medical back up operations.
So… other than Richmond Community medical needs… I wouldnt get too wound up over this.
If anyone has any other insite… post it for public comment.
My guess is that its Viator out of NYC. They are a solid helio provider with a good safety record and have had eyes on Richmond for several years. With the proximity to the beach/mountains, it seems like a natural fit for those not wanting to drive but wanting to escape.
No idea, you’ve got my interest now. My money is on it being a Bon Secours thing.
not a clue – but curious to know….
I have noticed an increase in helicopter traffic over the past several months….
Looks like it worked …?
Black helicopters? Drones?
Odd RT @chpn: Stop the Church Hill Heliport http://t.co/8NhmGJtQ7M
If you look at a Google map of Brown’s Island, there is a heliport listed towards the Tredegar side of the island. There really isn’t anything in the spot except grass and a small concrete pad where they usually set up the dog-jump contest for River Rock. I wonder if the area has been designated so that, say, if there was a need to airlift someone during a concert or event, it could be done. In other words, it’s not a heliport that is used regularly, but if it needs to be utilized, the exact spot has been pre-approved to bear the weight of a helicopter and provide the necessary clearance around the area for a take-off and landing.
Perhaps the same sort of thing is being implemented at Chimbo? It’s so close to MCV that it doesn’t make sense to use a helicopter when an ambulance would be just as fast.
I intend to filibuster this blog until we get answers on what this is…
According to the City’s website, one can get a permit for a rooftop heliport for a mere $75 annually (and following some safety restrictions). Perhaps a permit has been filed? http://www.richmondgov.com/Fire/prevRooftopHeliports.aspx
It’s not a port to hell, is it?
I saw this while out jogging a few days back. The oddest thing about these signs (aside from the theme) is that I jog that route multiple times a day and I never saw them until AFTER the supposed 2/28 meeting at Chimbo. I’m assuming its a hoax/social experiment.
What I heard was that it was part of the Bon Secours expansion in Church Hill. Maybe it’s part of the Bon Secours/Redskins package?
Anybody know where this heliport is supposed to be placed?
The only thing I could possibly imagine is that this would be to create a helipad/ aircraft landing zone at the Bon Secour hospital in church hill (Richmond Community). As Bon Secour continues to compete with VCUMC as a tertiary health system for coronary care and stroke center care, they would rather keep their patients for interventional coronary care and strokes within the system and not send them over the bridge to VCU. However, to do this and remain within critical time windows for treatment during terrible traffic patterns, aircraft would need to be used to accomplish this. And yes… this does happen. Take a look at DC MedStar for an example. Health systems use aircraft all the time to jump 10 miles to bypass traffic delays to keep money making patients within their systems. Tertiary care can be found at Memorial Regional, St. Marys, and Chip. That would be the destination. Minutes by air, 30 to 40 minutes by ground or more in unfortunate circumstances.
Other than that scenario… I couldnt imagine anyone wanting to put a helipad in church hill due to significant safety reasons including refueling logistics. The governor himself lands at the I-lot, located within eye shot of Church Hill. That is also the back up helipad for city aircraft operations including VCU rooftop medical back up operations.
So… other than Richmond Community medical needs… I wouldnt get too wound up over this.
If anyone has any other insite… post it for public comment.
My guess is that its Viator out of NYC. They are a solid helio provider with a good safety record and have had eyes on Richmond for several years. With the proximity to the beach/mountains, it seems like a natural fit for those not wanting to drive but wanting to escape.